Graveyard of Champions

The Fascinating Story of Liverpool's Legendary Boxing Stadium

Graveyard of Champions is a gripping history of Liverpool’s two iconic boxing arenas – at Pudsey Street and St Paul’s Square. Featuring Liverpool legends such as Nel Tarleton, Alan Rudkin and John Conteh, and drawing on a rich variety of sources, it captures unforgettable fights, fierce local pride and a lasting sporting legacy.

As the 1970s began, Shirley Crabtree (Big Daddy) was a semi-retired wrestler, aged 40; the younger Martin Ruane (Giant Haystacks), a down-on-his-luck father of three. Both were living in poverty, scratching out a living in the murky underworld of northern England as nightclub doormen. A decade later, they were two of the most famous faces in Britain, with record-breaking millions tuning in to watch them clash at Wembley. But the glory wouldn’t last forever. Big Daddy vs Giant Haystacks tells a rags-to-riches tale of unlikely fame, family loyalty, tragic death, and a uniquely British pop culture phenomenon. This gripping roller-coaster story features exclusive contributions from the likes of Bret ‘The Hitman’ Hart, former British heavyweight champion Tony St. Clair and ‘Superstar’ Mal Sanders.

Contributor: John Conteh (Foreword by)

UK Delivery:

• Free delivery on all orders of £10 or more.
• £1.49 delivery fee on orders below £10.
• UK orders are shipped via Royal Mail 2nd Class.

International Delivery:

• Flat rate delivery charges vary by country.

Dispatch and Delivery Times:

• All orders are shipped from our warehouse in Northampton, UK within 48 hours of receipt during working hours.
• UK mainland orders typically arrive within 3-5 working days via Royal Mail 2nd Class.
• International estimated delivery times:
• Europe & Channel Islands: 7 to 10 working days
• USA: 7 to 15 working days
• Rest of the World: 9 to 21 working days

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